The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

Published on 15 Oct 2025

• The government and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) recently signed an agreement to establish the alliance's headquarters and secretariat in India.

• The IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, during the 50th anniversary celebration of 'Project Tiger'. 

• It became a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation in 2025.

• So far, 16 countries have given their written consent to be part of the IBCA. 

• There are 96 countries that harbour ‘big cats’ and the alliance is also open to other countries, conservation organisations, scientific organisations, businesses, and corporations interested in supporting ‘big cats.’

• Globally, the ‘big cats’ include the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah. 

• Barring the puma and jaguar, the rest are found in India.

Keywords:

The International Big Cat Alliance IBCA Project Tiger Big cats tiger lion leopard snow leopard puma jaguar cheetah Conservation Biodiversity